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Fed gov buys more floodplain easements in ND

The federal government on Wednesday
said it was using $5 million in federal stimulus money to buy more
easements on agricultural land along the Red River that is prone to
flooding.

The 17 floodplain protection easements cover more than 2,100
acres in northeast North Dakota's Pembina, Walsh and Traill
counties.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement that the
easements will decrease the threat of floods, help the environment
and promote job creation.

The Agriculture Department's Natural Resources Conservation
Service and landowners will partner on projects to prevent soil
erosion and to stop debris from clogging waterways. Wetland areas
will be restored with native plants that will slow the flow of
floodwaters.

The projects will join 28 other Red River floodplain easement
projects in North Dakota and Minnesota.